Mumbai trip – the city that never sleeps, the land of Bollywood dreams, vada pav, monsoon chaos, colonial charm, and sea-swept evenings. Visiting Mumbai is like stepping into a fast-paced film with countless subplots—each street, station, and skyline telling a different story.
Here’s a raw, real, and refreshing blog of my five-day Mumbai adventure, where chaos met calm, and concrete met coast.
🏙️ Day 1: First Glimpse of the City That Breathes in Motion
I arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on a hot, steamy afternoon. The air had the scent of possibilities. and traffic pollution. Namaste Mumbai!
My accommodation was in Colaba, South Mumbai—a neighborhood steeped in colonial heritage and bordered by the Arabian Sea. Upon arrival, I checked into a comfortable heritage hotel before making a beeline for the Gateway of India.
There it sat: grand, unyielding, and flanked by tourists, pigeons, and street photogs. Opposite it sat the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, a work of art that seemed like a whisper from a bygone era.
Evening was spent at Marine Drive, witnessing the sunset with hundreds of strangers who all appeared to stop, en masse, as the city ground to a slight halt.
🍲 Day 2: Street Food, Art, and a Taste of Mumbai’s Soul
You haven’t been to Mumbai if you haven’t had vada pav from a roadside stall. My breakfast was spicy, buttery, and accompanied by cutting chai.
Then, I strolled through the Kala Ghoda Art District—galleries of art, cafes, bookshops, and beautiful heritage buildings at every turn. I dropped into Jehangir Art Gallery, window-shopped indie jewelry at street stalls, and quenched cold coffee at Kala Ghoda Café.
Afternoon was spent in a black-and-yellow taxi going to Haji Ali Dargah, which rises like a spiritual guardian in the midst of the sea. The crossing of the causeway on low tide was otherworldly—waves on either side, incantations in the wind.
Dinner? Thali at Cannon Pav Bhaji near CST Station. Raucous, busy, spicy, and unforgettable.
🕌 Day 3: Bollywood Dreams and Dharavi Reality
This was a day of contrasts. In the morning, I had a guided tour of Dharavi, one of Asia’s biggest slums—but also a testament to resilience and resourcefulness. I saw potters, recyclers, and leather workers—an entire economic system running on hope.
Afternoon was spent doing the ultimate touristy activity: a Bollywood studio tour in Goregaon. Green screens, sets, extras rehearsing dance numbers—it was crazy but enchanting.
Returning to Bandra in the evening, I walked along Carter Road and found myself at The Bagel Shop—a relaxed café that was a favorite among writers and artists. I could understand why. The atmosphere was laidback, genuine, and effortless to get into.
🛍️ Day 4: Local Markets, Local Lives
No trip to Mumbai is complete without getting lost in its markets. I started at Crawford Market—a colonial-era mess of fruit stalls, pet stores, and everything in between. Then shifted to Colaba Causeway for shopping for souvenirs: oxidized jewelry, bright bags, vintage Bollywood posters.
My local friend took me to Matunga for real South Indian food. We stopped for filter coffee and dosa at Café Madras, where the sambar is soul food.
Late evening, I went to Bandra-Worli Sea Link—a piece of modern engineering that bridges two worlds. Riding through it with the windows open, I understood how Mumbai progresses even when it’s trapped in traffic.
🌧️ Day 5: Monsoon Mood and a Bittersweet Goodbye
It poured the day I left Mumbai. Not a drizzle, but a wholesale Bollywood-style monsoon downpour. I spent the day indoors, watching the city through my window—people scurrying for shelter, street vendors venturing into the rain, children splashing in puddles. Mumbai, rain or no rain, never sleeps.
Lunch was a goodbye lunch at Britannia & Co., a legendary Parsi café in Ballard Estate. I ordered berry pulao and caramel custard, which were served by an elderly waiter who addressed me as if I’d been frequenting there for years.
💡 Mumbai Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: November to February (dry and cooler). Monsoons (June to September) are beautiful but messy.
- Transport: Download the BEST Chalo App, use Ubers, or try the local trains (once, at least).
- Where to Stay:
- South Mumbai (Colaba/Fort) for culture and history.
- Bandra for nightlife, cafes, and artsy vibes.
- Must-Try Foods:
- Vada Pav
- Pav Bhaji
- Keema Pav at Leopold Café
- Bhel Puri at Chowpatty
- Fish Thali at Gajalee
🎬 Final Thoughts: Mumbai Makes an Impression
Mumbai won’t roll out a red carpet for you. It won’t go out of its way to impress you. It simply exists. And yet, miraculously, that’s sufficient. It overwhelms you, envelops you, teaches you, challenges you, and ultimately—makes room for you in its narrative.
It’s not a postcard destination. It’s a city that sneaks up on you in pieces—train whistles, sea air, neon lights, soulful cuisine, and strangers who welcome you like kin.
If you’re ready for a travel experience that’s messy, enchanting, and one-of-a-kind—Mumbai is beckoning.
And believe me: you’ll respond. ????️❤️